diff --git a/niri-config/src/layout.rs b/niri-config/src/layout.rs
index f84528bd33..a8d07797bc 100644
--- a/niri-config/src/layout.rs
+++ b/niri-config/src/layout.rs
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ pub struct Layout {
     pub gaps: f64,
     pub struts: Struts,
     pub background_color: Color,
+    pub auto_tile: Option<AutoTile>,
 }
 
 impl Default for Layout {
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ impl Default for Layout {
                 PresetSize::Proportion(2. / 3.),
             ],
             background_color: DEFAULT_BACKGROUND_COLOR,
+            auto_tile: None,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -91,6 +93,10 @@ impl MergeWith<LayoutPart> for Layout {
         if self.preset_window_heights.is_empty() {
             self.preset_window_heights = Layout::default().preset_window_heights;
         }
+
+        if let Some(x) = &part.auto_tile {
+            self.auto_tile = Some(x.clone());
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -126,6 +132,16 @@ pub struct LayoutPart {
     pub struts: Option<Struts>,
     #[knuffel(child)]
     pub background_color: Option<Color>,
+    #[knuffel(child)]
+    pub auto_tile: Option<AutoTile>,
+}
+
+#[derive(knuffel::Decode, Debug, Clone, PartialEq)]
+pub struct AutoTile {
+    /// Maximum number of columns to auto-tile before scrolling kicks in.
+    /// Defaults to 2 (full screen, then 50/50, then scroll).
+    #[knuffel(child, unwrap(argument), default = 2)]
+    pub max_columns: u16,
 }
 
 #[derive(knuffel::Decode, Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq)]
diff --git a/niri-config/src/lib.rs b/niri-config/src/lib.rs
index b61fe1c1a0..7213eca592 100644
--- a/niri-config/src/lib.rs
+++ b/niri-config/src/lib.rs
@@ -1451,6 +1451,7 @@ mod tests {
                     b: 0.25,
                     a: 1.0,
                 },
+                auto_tile: None,
             },
             prefer_no_csd: true,
             cursor: Cursor {
diff --git a/src/layout/scrolling.rs b/src/layout/scrolling.rs
index 69d0ed62a7..9ee4753254 100644
--- a/src/layout/scrolling.rs
+++ b/src/layout/scrolling.rs
@@ -91,6 +91,10 @@ pub struct ScrollingSpace<W: LayoutElement> {
 
     /// Configurable properties of the layout.
     options: Rc<Options>,
+
+    /// Number of columns that are currently auto-tiled (filling the screen with dwindle layout).
+    /// These are always the first N columns. Columns beyond this count are in scrolling mode.
+    auto_tile_count: usize,
 }
 
 niri_render_elements! {
@@ -306,6 +310,7 @@ impl<W: LayoutElement> ScrollingSpace<W> {
             scale,
             clock,
             options,
+            auto_tile_count: 0,
         }
     }
 
@@ -959,6 +964,49 @@ impl<W: LayoutElement> ScrollingSpace<W> {
         self.add_tile(Some(col_idx), tile, activate, width, is_full_width, None);
     }
 
+    fn is_auto_tile_enabled(&self) -> bool {
+        self.options.layout.auto_tile.is_some()
+    }
+
+    fn auto_tile_max(&self) -> usize {
+        match &self.options.layout.auto_tile {
+            Some(at) => at.max_columns as usize,
+            None => 0,
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Returns whether auto-tiling should apply to a new column at `idx`.
+    fn should_auto_tile(&self, idx: usize) -> bool {
+        if !self.is_auto_tile_enabled() {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        let max = self.auto_tile_max();
+        if self.auto_tile_count >= max {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        idx <= self.auto_tile_count
+    }
+
+    /// Redistribute widths of all auto-tiled columns to fill the screen equally.
+    fn redistribute_auto_tile_widths(&mut self) {
+        if self.auto_tile_count == 0 {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        let prop = 1.0 / self.auto_tile_count as f64;
+        for i in 0..self.auto_tile_count {
+            if i >= self.columns.len() {
+                break;
+            }
+            let col = &mut self.columns[i];
+            col.set_width_proportion(prop);
+            col.update_tile_sizes(true);
+            self.data[i].update(col);
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn add_column(
         &mut self,
         idx: Option<usize>,
@@ -976,6 +1024,9 @@ impl<W: LayoutElement> ScrollingSpace<W> {
             }
         });
 
+        // Determine if this new column should be auto-tiled.
+        let do_auto_tile = self.should_auto_tile(idx);
+
         column.update_config(
             self.view_size,
             self.working_area,
@@ -990,6 +1041,11 @@ impl<W: LayoutElement> ScrollingSpace<W> {
             self.active_column_idx += 1;
         }
 
+        if do_auto_tile {
+            self.auto_tile_count += 1;
+            self.redistribute_auto_tile_widths();
+        }
+
         // Animate movement of other columns.
         let offset = self.column_x(idx + 1) - self.column_x(idx);
         let config = anim_config.unwrap_or(self.options.animations.window_movement.0);
@@ -1179,6 +1235,12 @@ impl<W: LayoutElement> ScrollingSpace<W> {
         let column = self.columns.remove(column_idx);
         self.data.remove(column_idx);
 
+        // If the removed column was in the auto-tile zone, redistribute.
+        if column_idx < self.auto_tile_count {
+            self.auto_tile_count -= 1;
+            self.redistribute_auto_tile_widths();
+        }
+
         // Stop interactive resize.
         if let Some(resize) = &self.interactive_resize {
             if column
@@ -4854,6 +4916,13 @@ impl<W: LayoutElement> Column<W> {
         self.update_tile_sizes(true);
     }
 
+    fn set_width_proportion(&mut self, proportion: f64) {
+        self.width = ColumnWidth::Proportion(proportion);
+        self.is_full_width = false;
+        self.is_pending_maximized = false;
+        self.preset_width_idx = None;
+    }
+
     fn set_column_width(&mut self, change: SizeChange, tile_idx: Option<usize>, animate: bool) {
         let current = if self.is_full_width || self.is_pending_maximized {
             ColumnWidth::Proportion(1.)